Dasvidaniya
wogma rating: Beg or borrow, but do watch (?)
Quality of life certainly wins over quantity. Dasvidaniya has enough number of interesting characters that is played by a very capable crew. Characters germinate and grow in enough details for us to see the shades.
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How many times have we complained that life is a rut, nothing new or exciting happens? Even if we've never made that complaint, there's always something that we'd really want to do but never got around to doing, because that needs a little more courage than to stay in our self-nurtured comfort zones. That broken relationship you wanted to mend, the hobby you wanted to pursue and for some of us unfortunately, it takes courage to just sit still enough to find that passion.
Amar (Vinay Pathak) who's come to terms with the hand dealt to him is forced to push the self-imposed boundaries before he takes the final bow and says, Dasvidaniya - good bye. This pleasantly plump, obviously nerdy, on-the-wrong-side-of-30s, spineless simpleton makes you feel for him - not pity, but a certain affection. May he be blessed with death if that's what he really, really wants. And you gradually see him mending things in his life, sorting out and repairing the broken parts. You can sense his gradual liberalization as he achieves each item on his life's to-do list.
Believe me, I get excited when I see Vinay on the poster of a movie. Post-Bheja Fry, I look forward to a movie featuring him because he has amazing versatility and convincing power. Here too, you can see Vinay's hardwork in every expression. And his prowess is proven more overtly when his alter ego shows up. The courage it must have taken for the makers to cast him as the lead is well rewarded by an overwhelming performance. And all other actors very efficiently provide form and shape to the world around Amar.
Dasvidaniya is one of those rarities that bring a smile that refuses to go while a tear rolls down. The dark humor too helps in keeping that smile. And this is despite the leisurely pace at which things proceed. The story is not much more than a one-liner. But each character, however short-lived in the script, is given enough room to bloom and present its shades to us. Amar's response to each character is recorded with finesse. And thus every relationship brings with it a unique chemistry though each one of them is equally warm. Even animosity carries a tender feeling with it.
The ever-demanding nature of human beings is very obviously put forth by Amar's ever increasing list. It tells something about ourselves when every time an item is checked off the list there are a few unchecked ones glaring at you. And as you see that, you find Amar taking a pause to just stand and stare - something that brings him immense pleasure.
Why wait for the end to knock at your door? Go ahead, make your list. What will it have? That trip to the mountains? The adventure sport that you might not make if a few more years go by? That call you have been avoiding thus far? Whatever they may be make sure there's enough room for "stand and stare" on that list.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Aparajita Ghosh, Apun Ka Choice : ...Dasvidaniya takes off very well but loses its gravity in the second half when a couple of uncalled-for deviations take the story off the course... full review
Thumbs up, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...it’s a blessed miracle how director Shashant Shah skillfully negotiates the life-affirming-message-movie part without ever letting his film become insufferable.... full review
Thumbs up, by roshni mulchandani, Bolly Spice : ...The supporting actors are all ideal and seamless in their performances. Pathak’s real-life friend Ranvir Shorey is spot on The supporting actors are all ideal and seamless in their performances. Pathak’s real-life friend Ranvir Shorey is spot on... full review
Thumbs up, by Preeti Arora, Buzz18 : ...There's no attempt to preach. Thankfully even at the end the film does not get into a sermon about incurable diseases.... full review
Thumbs up, by Deep, Deep's Home : ...So, overall, a very good movie, very very different from what we see these days. Worth watching in the theatre and adding in your DVD collection... full review
Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...It's a marvelous movie, which takes you on a journey of self. A roller coaster of emotions. Every moment matches the mood.... full review
Thumbs up, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...A moving drama that will undoubtedly leave you with a lump in your throat... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ...DASVIDANIYA makes you smile at several points, even shed tears [the emotional quotient is quite strong], but most importantly, reiterates the fact that life's a bubble that can burst any time... full review
Thumbs up, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...The emotions constantly fluctuate between humour and pathos. But the comedy isn’t slapstick and the emotions don’t get melodramatic... full review
Thumbs up, by Manu, manuscrypts : ...the story shows how simple human existence can be, if only we let it be, how it is possible to love unconditionally, if only we let it happen... full review
Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...All the actors do a terrific job with their characters. The task is made easy by the fact that their roles have been very well etched by the writers.... full review
Thumbs up, by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com : ...What works for Dasvidaniya, is its very simple script, executed skillfully by first time director Shashant Shah... full review
Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com : ...There's something to be said about this sensitive slice-of-life cinema. And it's this. You really can't keep a good man down.... full review
Thumbs up, by Varun, Passion for Cinema : ...In the end it doesn’t claim to be a life-changing-experience, nor does it try to push some magic philosophy down your throats... full review
Thumbs up, Passion for Cinema : ...It is a simple film, with a simple story line, with simple characters. No out of the world melodrama, no larger than life characters.... full review
Thumbs up, by Goher Iqbal Punn, Radio Sargam : ...A brilliant portrayal of love and emotion,... full review
Thumbs up, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ... The heart and soul of the film undoubtedly is Vinay Pathak, who reinvents the quiet, submissive common man, already dead with the weight of his dull, uneventful life.... full review
Thumbs up, Zee News : ...Dasvidaniya boasts of a fabulous script, combined with Vinay Pathak’s unbeatably brilliant performance, and some superbly good performances by the entire gang ‘Dasvidaniya-The Best Goodbye Ever’ boasts of a fabulous script, combined with Vinay Pathak’s unbeatably brilliant performance, and some superbly good performances by the entire gang ‘Dasvidaniya-The Best Goodbye Ever’ boasts of a fabulous script, combined with Vinay Pathak’s unbeatably brilliant performance, and some superbly good performances by the entire gang Dasvidaniya boasts of a fabulous script, combined with Vinay Pathak’s unbeatably brilliant performance, and some superbly good performances by the entire gang.... full review
So-So, by shivam sharma, AOL INDIA : ...The background score is a charmer and so are all the songs. And there is a good blend of locations and colours on screen too! The background score is a charmer and so are all the songs. And there is a good blend of locations and colours on screen too... full review
So-So, by Anupama Chopra, NDTV : ...Dasvidaniya is well-intended. It strains hard for poignancy but unfortunately it only manages to be predictable and plodding.... full review
So-So, by Elvis D'Silva, Rediff : ...ome of the performances are wayward and certain cliches are adhered to with such a rigid faithfulness to Bollywood caricatures of yore... full review
So-So, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...The marks of inspiration are obvious, from the basic story to little details like the doctor`s waiting room conversation.... full review
So-So, Upper Stall : ...The director’s inexperience shows in the handling of a plot that has so much promise.... full review
Thumbs down, by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA : ...Director, Shashant Shah, is ably supported by commendable camerawork, production design and art direction, and by a supporting cast that infuses life into otherwise static proceedings... full review
Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, Hindustan Times : ...the tempo is so self-indulgently slow that you close your eyes, count sheep, snore, wake up, count some more sheep and wake up..and then sprinkle some water on your face... full review
Thumbs down, by Harshita Kohli, indya.com : ...All in all Dasvidanya leaves you depressed and heading to the door rather than sitting back and taking some inspiration.... full review
Thumbs down, by Space Bar, The Spaniard in the Making : ...Lists. This is my biggest problem with the film. Because, like Amar, the filmmaker has been unable to resist ticking off things he's accomplished in the course of the film... full review
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Plot Summary
Amar (Vinay Pathak) realizes that he has only a few weeks left to live. He almost instantaneously at the command of his alter ego, sets out to do things he'd always wanted to do. (The concept of the movie reminded me vaguely of Day and Night, Denmark. It was a lot more morbid though.)
What Worked
- The munnabhai joke, I was thinking just the same thing, so the timing was perfect. If it came a little later it would be bracketed "predictable"
- The dream sequence. Haven't seen anything that freaky in Hindi movies in a long, long time.
- Amar's mom's reaction to his achievements.
- Amar's way of expressing his love.
- The irony that the protagonist's name is Amar which means "immortal".
- The irony that the "ma" scene is being shot satirically for a TV serial and then there's a heartfelt "ma" song.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: None
- Nudity & Sexual content: A kiss and suggestion of making love.
- Concept: It makes you think about what you'd want to do if you had only limited time left here.
- General Look and Feel: It’s a glum set-up with songs mostly in the background. No overtly chirpy characters.
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![[Wikipedia page of Dasvidaniya]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Dasvidaniya]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
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Comments (5)
How I have been waiting for this review.. I was sure that post-Bheja Fry Vinay would be back with a bang.. and this story is something I had thought of for making a short film.. would be amazing to see it being translated onscreen.. that too by Vinay..!
Thanks a lot for the review..!(Will post opinion after I've been to it.)
silvan, do watch the movie and let us know what you think.
shantanu, thanks for the appreciation, do come back with your take on the movie.
Rishi - is it? have you seen My life without me? intriguing title...
Dasvidaniya is unlikely to disappoint any of you
you should have made a mention of his alter ego, specially who wears red shoes. Even Gaurav Gera, as the younger brother and short lived character had an impactful performance, specially when he shared screen Vinay Pathak and mother Sarita Joshi.
The songs were also very to the point, specially when he started singing Maa, it was very meaningful and had it own time value in the movie.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the movie too, Moksh!
Thanks, Mayur. and i'm glad you like Vinay Pathak too.
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